Alex Aberg Returns to Europe

Alex Aberg defeated many notable foes in the greatest year of his professional wrestling career.  In 1915, Aberg competed in both the Spring and Fall versions of the New York International Wrestling Tournament.  Competing exclusively in his preferred style of Greco-Roman wrestling, Aberg defeated Dr. Benjamin Roller, Wladek Zbyszko and Ed “Strangler” Lewis along with a number of journeyman wrestlers.

Aberg ended 1915 as the “World Heavyweight Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion”.  By 1917, he was back in Europe.  What happened in 1916 to convince him to return to Europe?

First, Aberg and his promoter, Sam Rachmann, wanted Aberg to succeed Frank Gotch as the recognized World Champion.  Rachmann held the International Tournaments in an attempt to have Aberg recognized as Gotch’s successor and hopefully secure a match with Gotch himself.

Despite his success in the tournaments, the American audience did not recognize Aberg’s dominance in Greco-Roman wrestling as being equal to Gotch in the dominant American style, catch-as-catch-can.  While the fans liked the novelty of the Greco-Roman resurgence, Aberg couldn’t hope to beat Gotch in catch-as-catch-can.

Aberg also had a blemish on his Greco-Roman wrestling record as Stanislaus Zbyszko, Wladek’s older brother, beat Aberg for the Greco-Roman World Title in 1914.  When Stanislaus Zbyszko returned to Europe in 1914, Rachmann and Aberg took advantage of his absence by staging the tournament to crown a new champion.

Aberg had started to learn catch-as-catch-can but was still considered a relative beginner in the style.  Aberg did try to secure a match in 1916 with Joe Stecher, who was recognized as Gotch’s successor by the American wrestling public.  However, the men could never come to terms.

Aberg spent most of 1916 training for a potential match with Stecher.  He didn’t compete in any recorded matches despite being in the United States for most of the year.  Besides his normal weightlifting routine, he practiced catch-as-catch-can wrestling with many American wrestlers.  While he was improving, Aberg would have had a tough time beating Joe Stecher in catch wrestling.  Aberg was said to be particularly worried about Stecher’s scissor hold.

Once he realized that a match with Stecher was not forth coming and that Greco-Roman wrestling wasn’t going to be popular long-term, Aberg and his good friend, Georg Lurich returned to Europe in early 1917.  Neither one would return to the United States as the Russian Civil War intruded on their lives.

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